TWO EMPEROR COLONIES & MOUNTAINS
Visit emperor penguin colonies and explore the Drygalski Mountains.
- DEPARTS FROM
Cape Town (6-hour flight)
- DURATION
7 days & Nights
- SEASON
Late Oct until Feb
- MIN AGE
12 YEARS OF AGE
- DATES
2026/2027 Season: Expedition Tour Dates
- Oct 25 - Nov 1, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
- Oct 31 - Nov 7, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
maximum of 8 guests and two guides
Explore the emperor penguins and the Drygalski Mountains with Ultima Antarctic Expeditions.
The journey begins by departing from Cape Town for this unique expedition, which offers one of the ultimate wildlife experiences on Earth.
Over seven days and nights, guests fly twice to visit Emperor Penguin colonies – to experience the rare privilege of time with these admirable creatures. The regal Emperor Penguin is the largest of all penguins, the deepest-diving hunter, and the only bird which breeds on ice. In extraordinary feats of resilience, the male Emperor Penguin nurtures a single egg, throughout the pitch-dark months of the Antarctic Winter.
We fly to these Emperor Penguin colonies in ski-fitted aircraft, carrying just eight guests at a time, and land on ice shelves for visits of several hours each. Guests are carefully hosted by our expert guides and ornithologists to ensure no disturbance and the best vantage points to witness these breeding colonies in their earliest moments of parenthood—alive with young newborns in festivals of excited sound, curiosity, and delight.
As a final treat on this expedition, we take to the skies a third time for our multi-stop flight into the mythical landscapes of the Drygalski Mountains. Described by a recent guest as: “the most remote place I have seen in my life … so raw, so crisp, so beautiful. Out of this world.”
In the days between the expedition flights above, guests are treated to a wealth of daily excursions—by foot or specialised Antarctic vehicles. These include sites such as “ice walls” and unique ice formations, the chance to stare out over the Nivl continental ice shelf, and savouring moments in the Schirmacher Oasis.
What's Included
- All Outer Polar Gear
- Airport Transfers in Cape Town
- Inter-Continental Flights between Cape Town and Antarctica
- All Food & Beverages In-Flight, and in Antarctica
- Seven night’s Accommodation at Ultima Camps – between Ultima Oasis Camp and Ultima Airbase Expedition Camp
- South Pole Expedition, by Intra-Continental Aircraft
- Emperor Penguins Expedition, by Intra-Continental Aircraft
- Daily Excursions
- All Activities
- Limited WiFi access and connectivity is possible
Not included: polar/thermal under-garments
Day 1
We will fly from Cape Town, South Africa to Novo airstrip in Dronning Maud Land and transfer to our warm and comfortable quarters amid the Shirmacher Oasis on the edge of the Antarctic mainland. We will fly between continents in the legendary Ilyushin 76 which is also used to carry cargo, scientists and expeditioners for national Antarctic programs in the Dronning Maud Land region.
Expedition Days
Our primary objectives are to visit the recently discovered Astrid and Lazarev North Emperor Penguin Colonies and the Drygalksi Mountains (home to magnificent Ulvetanna and Holtanna peaks). Closer to Oasis Camp we will visit stunning ice features and we will enjoy fine cuisine and wines and short strolls after dinner to enjoy stunning views over the nearby ice shelf.
Final Day
We will return to Novo airstrip for the flight back to Cape Town. Noting all flights are subject to weather conditions in Antarctica.
Inclusions
Flights between Cape Town and Dronning Maud Land in the Ilyushin 76-TD90, all internal twin otter flights to and from the Emperors, Lake Untersee and Drygalski Mountains, all internal transfers, meals, accomodation, guides, drinks, Starlink internet at Oasis Camp and special clothing and equipment.
Exclusions
Travel to and from Cape Town (flexible flights are recommended and arrival into Cape Town three days in advance of departure for Antarctica is required allowing time to conduct mandatory briefings and issue specialist clothing and equipment for your adventure), any additional costs incurred due to changes to flights beyond our control (in particular weather delays), evacuation, medical treatment costs and insurance (insurance is mandatory), hotel transfers for non-Antarctic flights, meals and accommodation in Cape Town (we can provide recommendations), satellite phone use in Antarctica. Baggage weight restrictions apply.
Where will you stay?
Ultima Oasis Camp
Throughout your time in Antarctica, you will overnight in our Ultima Oasis Camp, which offers delicious food and comfortable surroundings, while you rest between the eight days’ excursions and explore the camp’s surrounds – mountains, lakes, snow and ice, as you are immersed in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Common questions
FAQS/FAST FACTS
WE FLY TO ANTARCTICA
More than 120 000 tourists visit the Antarctic Peninsula each year by cruise ship. At Ultima, we fly – in under six hours – from Cape Town, South Africa. After flying due south over 4 200km, we land on a blue ice runway – where your adventures begin.
WHERE IN ANTARCTICA DO WE VISIT?
Draw a straight line south from the southern tip of Africa, due south. The last 100km before we land is over frozen sea ice, and we land on the actual Antarctic continent/land mass.
NO VISAS REQUIRED
Antarctica is not owned by any nation. Thus, no visa is required. Guests may require visas to visit South Africa, usually multiple-entry visas, as guests will arrive in South Africa from their international destinations, and then back in South Africa on the return leg from Antarctica.
WHEN DO WE NEED TO ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN?
Excellent question: two days before the Estimated Date of Departure. This, to allow some flexibility in departure, should weather or logistics require. Equally, guests are asked to book their out-bound flights from Cape Town, for a minimum of two days after their due arrival back from Antarctica, to cater for possible delays.
WE VISIT IN THE SUMMER
When is the Antarctic Austral Summer? We’re in the Southern Hemisphere, so between October and February. During these summer months, we enjoy nearly 24-hour daylight – and full 24-hour sunlight on either side of the Summer Solstice (December 20-22).
We offer no expeditions between March and September, conditions deteriorate, with 24-hour pitch darkness, on either side of the Winter Solstice (June 21).
TOUGH & BRAVE? NO!
Unlike the heroic explorers of yore, our guests do not have to be tough, fit or brave. Our Antarctic Expeditions are open to all, who are healthy enough to fly into Cape Town, from where we fly south.
DOES ULTIMA PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED POLAR GEAR?
Yes! All outer gear – including boots, outer-trousers, outer jackets, gloves/mitts, beanies. Guests are asked to bring their own fleeces or equivalent gear, for wearing beneath their outer jackets – as well as their own warm/thermal undergarments. Guests tend to prefer their own sunglasses.
HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT TO PACK?
A full packing list is provided, and includes most items one would take for any holiday or travel visit, to any destination (because Ultima provides all outer weather-proof polar gear).
MAY CHILDREN TRAVEL?
We do not take many young children to Antarctica, but can do so – on a case-by-case basis, when accompanied by their parents or guardians. Teenagers have joined several of our Expeditions, happily.